How Many Chapter Does Chainsaw Man Have Novels & Stories

Trying to get a solid number on 'Chainsaw Man' chapters is weirdly tough because it depends where you look. The serialization shifted from Weekly Shonen Jump to its online platform Jump+, and there are also volume releases with extra pages. As of this week, I counted 160 chapters in the main Part 2 storyline on the Shonen Jump app, but that's not including the 97 chapters from Part 1. Some fan sites list them all sequentially, so you might see a total around 257, but I wouldn't trust those counts completely.

What throws me off is how Fujimoto handles 'chapters.' Some installments are super short, almost like vignettes, while others are densely packed. The digital version sometimes has slightly different breaks than the print tankobon volumes. I remember when chapter 98 dropped and the online discussion was half about the plot twist and half arguing whether a certain two-page spread was its own 'chapter' or not. For the most accurate, official count, I'd stick to the number of chapters available in the latest compiled volume and add whatever's been serialized online since that volume's cut-off. Last I checked, Volume 17 covered up through chapter 157, so everything after that is still in the digital serialization queue.

Honestly, the chapter count feels less important than the rhythm of updates. Part 2 has had some irregular schedules, with occasional breaks that make the total climb slower than you'd expect. I've given up on memorizing the exact figure and just wait for the app notification.

The chapter counts really shift across the first part of 'Chainsaw Man'. Volume 1 starts tight, with only 4 chapters (1-4) if I remember right. That’s because those early chapters are longer, almost like one-shots setting everything up. By the time you hit the middle volumes, like 4 through 8, it settles into a more standard rhythm of 8 to 10 chapters per tankōbon. They’re packing more in as the plot accelerates.

It’s worth noting the final volume of Part 1, which is Volume 11, only contains 5 chapters (90-94). The last chapter is famously extra-long, so it makes sense the count is lower. The official English releases from Viz match these counts. If you’re trying to gauge reading time, the early volumes feel quicker, while the middle ones are denser with that classic frantic battle-shonen pacing. The drop in chapter count for the finale really makes you slow down for the emotional payoff, even if the page count isn't drastically different.

It depends on how you're counting, which gets a bit messy with the different arcs and publications. The first part, which ran in 'Weekly Shonen Jump,' wrapped up at Chapter 97. That's the complete Public Safety Saga. After that, Part 2 started serialization in 'Shonen Jump+' online. As of early 2024, Part 2 was still ongoing. I checked my usual tracking sites recently, and the count was up to around Chapter 157 or 158. So the total, combining both parts, is hovering right around that 157-158 mark.

But that number is a moving target since new chapters drop pretty regularly. If you're looking to binge-read, most official apps like Viz Media or Manga Plus will have the definitive, up-to-date count. They bundle the parts together in one continuous chapter list, which is super helpful. Just be aware that the tone and pacing shift noticeably in Part 2—it feels like a different beast sometimes, which I actually appreciate.

The chapter structure itself is pretty lean; Fujimoto isn't one for overly long, dragging arcs. Some chapters fly by in what feels like minutes, which keeps the chaos level high but can make the wait for the next one brutal.